Bishop Lennon asked Catholics to take a focus of strengthening and enlivening our faith

In his Apostolic Letter, PORTA FIDEI, Pope Benedict XVI has declared October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013 as The Year of Faith for all Catholics across the globe.

In the Diocese of Cleveland and its eight counties, Bishop Richard Lennon and a special committee of clergy and lay leaders have formulated a detailed program for all parishes to observe this special time.

The Year of Faith is also significant as it observes the 50th anniversary of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council; the event which is still energizing and directing much of our Catholic life today. The year 2012 also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the issuance of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on October 11, 1992 by Blessed John Paul II.

The Holy Father hopes that the Year of Faith will touch the hearts of the faithful throughout the Diocese of Cleveland and also serve three purposes. First, to deepen our faith through loving; second, to enlighten our minds through learning; and third, to enrich our experience of living our relationship with Jesus Christ in our parish community.

Each parish has received a Pastoral Letter from the Bishop along with prayer cards for the Year of Faith to be distributed to the parishioners, and a Year of Faith banner to be placed inside the churches with the diocesan slogan "Living our Relationship with Jesus Christ."

Schools, colleges and other Catholic institutions in the Diocese also have received the banner.

The Year of Faith website (www.dioceseofcleveland.org/yearoffaith) will include all types of material to enhance a family's faith life. Stories of modern day saints, opportunities for pilgrimages and retreats, family faith and prayer practices, excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and a line from the Apostles Creed are available to further expand the knowledge and understanding of Church teachings.

This is all-encompassing effort is expected to culminate in November of 2013 with a Mass and celebration bringing together persons from across the Diocese to worship with the Bishop.